Popular Destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Vacation Rentals at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Nestle into your very own log cabin for a relaxing weekend getaway amongst the towering pines at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Browse among scenic tree cabins, A-frame timber bungalows, and chalet-style apartments for the perfect vacation rental to suit your group's travel needs. Almost all of the vacation home available near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park come with fantastic forest and mountain views, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature while still enjoying the comfort of modern day conveniences.

Holiday in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Beautiful Wildlife and Mountains within two States

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park park straddles the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina and is characterized by it's lush green vegetation, towering mountain peaks, and incredible wildlife biodiversity. The closest airport to the National Park is located in Knoxville, Tennessee with an approximately 45 minutes drive to the Gatlinburg entrance. The park offers three different entrances - two of which lie in Tennessee and one at the western edge of North Carolina. There are many towns in between these entrances which cater to visitors urban tastes providing a wider range of restaurants, bars, and vacation home options.

Activities

Destination for Hikers

Those looking to make the trek and enjoy one of the many scenic vistas will love wandering the Great Smoky Mountains trails. Whether you're a beginner or a novice outdoor enthusiast, the park offers over 75 different paths from day hikes to history trails to laborous mountainous summits. Some of the most popular outlooks in the Great Smoky Mountains include Clingman's Dome, Mount Le Conte, and the Chimney Tops.

Destination for Music Enthusiasts
Country music lovers can enjoy a theme park dedicated to one of the genre's most iconic singers - Dolly Parton. Dollywood is situated just 11 miles north of the Gatlinburg entrance, making for an energetic pit stop en route to the relaxing nature of the park. The theme park features many festivals, exhibits, and rides including the world's first and fastest wooden coaster. Dollywood first opened its gates in 1961 and continues to attract thousands of visitors a year.
Destination for Wildlife Lovers

The Great Smoky Mountains has been designated both as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve due to its beauty and significance in wildlife conservation. The region's rich diversity of native animals comprises of species such as the red wolf, river otter, white-tailed deer, wild boar, and over a thousand black bears. In addition, the park is also home to 140 different species of trees and 4,000 different plants!

Every March, the Great Smoky Mountains serve as the backdrop to the "Music of the Mountains" festival which focuses on old-style folk and country music native to the region.

Top 5 things to do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

1. Take a drive around Cades Cove

For a safe and up close view of the park's wildlife, drive through the historic farming valley at Cades Cove where there are often wild deer sightings. This 11 mile loop is by far the most popular attraction in the National Park as visitors come to take in the wide open spaces and breathtaking mountain peaks which make for the perfect postcard backdrop.

2. Enjoy the sunset at Morton Overlook
En route to Clingman's Dome, the Morton Overlook provides one of the most stunning sunset vistas in the whole park. Located just off of US441S on the Newfound Gap Road, the Overlook's free entrance and easy access to the main highway makes it a popular destination for nature photographers to jump out and snap a quick pic.
3. Straddle the state line at Clingman's Dome

If you've ever wanted to be in two places at once, then a hike up to Clingman's Dome is just or you. The Dome sits atop the highest peak in the National Park, Tennessee, and the Appalachian Trail providing views over a hundred miles in the distance on a clear day. To reach Clingman's Dome, take the .5 mile steep path which leads up to the concrete slab where you can stand at the top of the 54ft foot observation Tower. Note that the path leading up to the summit is closed in the winter between December and April, and on other conditions due to in climate weather.

4. Hike a part of the Appalachian Trail

One of the most popular hiking routes in the United States is the Appalachian Trail which runs from Georgia to the south 2,200 miles all the way up to Maine. A 72-mile stretch of the historic trail runs through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Fontana Dam to the Davenport Gap. Hiking this section of the trail generally takes about 7 days and passes by the popular Clingman's Dome.

5. Cool off at Laurel Falls

The 80ft plunge of Laurel Falls located between the Gatlinburg and Townsend entrances is one of the most popular waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The falls are divided into an upper and lower section, divided by a walkway through the two water streams. The trek to Laurel Falls is 2.6 miles roundtrip taking roughly 2 hours to complete and is considered one of the easier waterfall routes within the park.

Useful Information

Climate

The Great Smoky Mountains are the most highly visited National Park in the United States due to it's clear four seasons and moderate weather conditions. The spring and summer seasons see the highest concentration of hikers, while the fall season is revered for it's electrifying natural hues throughout the park. The winter is also popular with visitors who come to take advantage of the park's cozy winter cabins and skiing opportunities.